First Time in NYC? Watch This Before You Visit
Planning your first trip to New York City? Here is everything you need to know before you arrive.
Getting Around
- Use the subway — its 24/7, $2.90 per ride, and goes everywhere
- Walk — Manhattan is smaller than you think. Most attractions are walkable.
- Skip taxis in Midtown — traffic makes them slower than walking
- Download Google Maps offline — cell service is spotty underground
Where To Stay
- Budget: Hells Kitchen, Lower East Side, Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
- Mid-range: Chelsea, Murray Hill, Long Island City (Queens)
- Splurge: SoHo, West Village, Midtown
Money Tips
- Budget $50-100/day for food (or $20 if you eat street food and dollar pizza)
- Many attractions have free days — check our museum guide
- Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars
- The subway is the best value in the city
Safety
- NYC is one of the safest big cities in America
- Stay aware in the subway late at night — ride in the conductors car
- Keep your phone secure on subway platforms
- Times Square is safe but full of scammers (costumed characters demanding tips, CD sellers)
Top Mistakes First-Timers Make
- Spending all their time in Times Square (leave after 30 min)
- Not exploring Brooklyn (its half the city)
- Taking taxis in Midtown traffic
- Eating at chain restaurants (the local spots are better AND cheaper)
- Not looking up — the architecture is half the experience
Watch our complete first-timer guide on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.